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RECAP Of The 57th Running Of The Rolex 24 At Daytona By NBC Sports

Endurance racing is the toughest and most demanding form of motorsports. The longest running 24 hour race contested in North America and the first race of the 2019 season, the 57th Rolex 24 was held at Daytona this past weekend. The competition took place on the road course, which utilized both the high banking of Daytona International Speedway as well the International Horseshoe in the infield. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via NBC Sports YouTube Embed (2019)

RECAP Of The 57th Running Of The Rolex 24 At Daytona By NBC Sports

The allure of winning the longest race in Florida brought drivers from all over the world and in many different series to compete in the 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Last year, tire issues plagued many of the competitors, with Michelin ultimately replacing Continental for the duration of the 2019 season as well as the title sponsor for IMSA. “I’ve worked with a lot of different tire compounds in different kinds of racing,” said Meyer-Shank Racing tire specialist Scott Yeager. “When we take these off, they still look brand-new. Some of the teams last night were running three stints on the same tire, which is incredible. The way that these tires look right now, I don’t believe that we’re going to have any issues with the Michelin tire compound this season.”

Not only did teams have to deal with the cooler weather and winds this year, but they also had to keep an eye out for the persistent threat of rain. The race was ultimately red-flagged twice due to deteriorating weather conditions, once with seven hours remaining and once with just under 2 hours remaining. This is the first time that the race has been red-flagged for weather since 2004, and the first time in the history of the Rolex 24 at Daytona that the race has had two red flags in the same session.

DURATION: 45:24

Before the second red flag waved, multiple drivers were caught off guard by the wet conditions, and some drivers crashed out due to the low visibility. The red flag waved with just under two hours remaining, and the race was ultimately called with 10 laps to go after weather conditions failed to improve.